Choose from 164 Fun Things to Do in Vietnam
Hon Mieu Island
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Ho Chi Minh's Residence (Nha Bac Ho)
- Purchase tickets at the visitor's entrance to the Presidential Palace on Hung Vuong Street, or choose a sightseeing tour that includes site entry.
- Visitors cannot enter the house but can look through the windows.
- Bring fish food if you want to feed the carp in the pond.
Hoi An Central Market
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Cholon District
Cholon, Saigon's Chinatown district, dominates the west bank of the city, boasting the attractions of Quan Am Pagoda, Thien Hau Temple, Binh Tay Market and numerous teahouses. Visit this long-established Chinese community (the largest of its kind in Vietnam) and soak up the fascinating culture, architecture and sights.
Quan Am Pagoda - a Chinese-style Buddhist temple - features beautiful courtyards, gardens, a pond and a Jade Emperor. At Thien Hau Temple, dedicated to the goddess of the sea, check the stunning carved porcelain ceiling designs.
Cholon Mosque and Cha Tam - the catholic cathedral - as well as the thriving Binh Tay market also add to the rich texture of this historic community.
Practical Info
Cholon, covering districts 5 & 6, can be reached by boat from the jetty on Saigon river down Ben Nghe channel, or by taxi or bike. Head for Binh Tay Market as a central starting point. From here hire a cyclo by the hour to leisurely cruise Nguyen Trai Road and its nearby streets to Quan Am pagoda and Thien Hau temple as you take in the area's unique atmosphere.
Hoi An Museum
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Pu Luong Nature Reserve
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Hon Chong
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One-Pillar Pagoda (Chua Mot Cot)
Legend has it that while Emperor Ly Thai Tong was troubled about being childless, he dreamt that he met the bodhisattva, Quan Am, who, sitting on a lotus flower, offered him a son. Soon after he married a peasant girl who bore him a son, and in gratitude he built the One Pillar Pagoda (or Chua Mot Cot) in the design of a lotus flower on its stem rising from a square pond.
The original temple was destroyed by the French Union in 1954, it was rebuilt on a single concrete pillar of 1.25 meter (4 foot) diameter. The temple itself is made from wood and bears a statue of Quan Am, to whom it is dedicated, inside.
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The One-Pillar Pagoda is situated in the park behind Ho Chi Minh Museum.
Half-light at early morning or sunset gives a beautiful and mysterious photographic view of the temple and its reflection across the pond.
Hoi An Silk Village
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Hon Ga Choi Island (Fighting Cocks Island)
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Ho Chi Minh City Cruise Port
How to Get to Ho Chi Minh City
Larger cruise ships will dock at Phu My, a port on the South China Sea, about 2.5 hours from Ho Chi Minh City. Smaller and mid-size ships that are able to navigate the Saigon River dock much closer to the city. Many ships will provide shuttles from either port into the center of the city. If yours doesn’t, head outside of the dock gates to hail a taxi. From the port at Phu My, taking a hydrofoil is also an option; the ride takes about an hour.
One Day in Ho Chi Minh City
Kick off your day with a visit to Reunification Hall, once the presidential palace of South Vietnam. Take a tour of this somewhat eerie building that has been left mostly untouched since the 1960s. From there, move on to the War Remnants Museum, whose moving and sometimes disturbing exhibits share the story of the Vietnam War from a distinctly Communist perspective. Then, to get a fuller understanding of the country’s history and culture, make your way to the Vietnamese History Museum. Peruse exhibits covering Vietnamese culture from the Bronze Age to the modern day and then enjoy a performance at the museum’s water puppet theater.
Next, head to the Ben Thanh Market, a bustling market that dates back to 1914. Scan the stalls for paintings, porcelain and jewelry before grabbing a late lunch at one of the food stalls.
Spend the rest of the afternoon visiting one or more of the city’s pagodas: the Thien Hau Pagoda, dedicated to the sea goddess; the Quan Am Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in the city; and Phung Son Tu Pagoda, dedicated to the god of happiness and virtue. Or, escape from the heat to one of HCMC’s many water parks, such as the Dam Sen Water Park, closest to the city center.
If you still have time before returning to your ship, head up to the observation deck at the Bitexco Financial Tower for a panoramic view of the city.
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Monkey Island
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Hanoi Old Quarter
- The Old Quarter is a must-see for first-time visitors to Hanoi.
- Wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking over uneven surfaces.
- Come hungry—the Old Quarter is packed with cafés, bars, bakeries, and restaurants.
- Shops and restaurants in Hanoi’s Old Quarter often accept both US dollars and Vietnamese dong; be sure to ask which price is being quoted.
Ho Chi Minh Museum
- Visitors will need to check their bags at the entrance.
- Photos are not permitted inside; cameras will have to be checked.
- Visitors are requested to be quiet inside the museum.
- Expect to spend about an hour at the museum; two if you plan to study the exhibits in detail.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex
- It’s free to enter the mausoleum, but donations are accepted.
- All bags must be checked at the entrance.
- Photos are not permitted; cameras may need to be checked in.
- Wear respectful clothing; shoulders, arms, and knees should be covered.
- Once inside the mausoleum, you must walk steadily and you cannot talk, smile, or put your hands in your pockets.
Hoi An Handicraft Workshop
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Hoi An Ancient Town
Naturalists will appreciate the quiet beaches just a short bike ride from the city center, while wanderers will love the pedestrian-only streets of Ancient Town lined with quaint shops and bustling vendors.
Urban skyscrapers and big-city development have yet to touch this former shipping port, which means travelers can enjoy a taste of what Hoi An once was and what Vietnam used to be.